Why are my hens laying so early?

Dashchicks · 2022-07-15T21:08:36-0500

I have 10 mixed breeds from TSC. 4 EE, 2 Sapphire Gems and 4 Starlight green Eggers. They are now about 16 weeks old. 1 to 3 of them are laying small eggs already. 3 are squatting, and I know the first one was only 14 1/2 weeks old when she laid a 37 gram egg and now a week later I had one 26 gram egg yesterday and one 29 gram egg today. I think they’re all different layers. is it okay to mix their grower and layer feed? Has this happened to anyone else.

nuthatched · 2022-07-15T22:16:23-0500

16 weeks is early but not too bad. Do they have lights in their coop?

Lady of McCamley · 2022-07-15T22:16:52-0500

Put them on layer feed. Yes, the hybrids will lay earlier especially if purchased in spring and maturing during lengthening day light (it triggers the egg laying hormones). I usually put my hybrids on layer feed by 12 weeks to help prepare their bodies.

LofMc

Dashchicks · 2022-07-16T04:28:57-0500

nuthatched said:
16 weeks is early but not too bad. Do they have lights in their coop?

No lights in the coop. But it has been sunny and not much rain recently.

Dashchicks · 2022-07-16T04:32:02-0500

Lady of McCamley said:
Put them on layer feed. Yes, the hybrids will lay earlier especially if purchased in spring and maturing during lengthening day light (it triggers the egg laying hormones). I usually put my hybrids on layer feed by 12 weeks to help prepare their bodies.

LofMc

Thank you for that. Makes me feel better after reading some articles telling not to give layer feed. They have been on a 50/50 growth and layer feed for 9 days already. I will continue that mix until I run out.

Why are my hens laying so early?

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